JUST WATCHED

Some of his memorable scenes

MUST WATCH

Some of his memorable scenes01:18

Photos:Philip Seymour Hoffman

Photos:Philip Seymour Hoffman

Philip Seymour Hoffman: Master of film – Philip Seymour Hoffman appears in 2013's "The Hunger Games: Catching Fire." Hoffman played the role of Plutarch Heavensbee, the head gamemaker in the film. He was expected to appear in more films of the "Hunger Games" franchise, but he was found dead in his Manhattan apartment on February 2. Hoffman died of acute mixed drug intoxication, the New York medical examiner's office said. Click through the gallery for more highlights of his career.

Hide Caption

1 of 16

Photos:Philip Seymour Hoffman

Philip Seymour Hoffman: Master of film – Hoffman appears in 2012's "A Late Quartet." He reportedly learned how to play the violin during his role as a member of a string quartet. He told the Huffington Post that "I really got into the violin thing, because it's not acting, and I got off on that."

Hide Caption

2 of 16

Photos:Philip Seymour Hoffman

Philip Seymour Hoffman: Master of film – Hoffman appears with Joaquin Phoenix in "The Master" (2012). He received Oscar and Golden Globe nominations in the supporting actor category for his work in the film.

Hide Caption

3 of 16

Photos:Philip Seymour Hoffman

Philip Seymour Hoffman: Master of film – Hoffman plays manager Art Howe in the 2011 hit "Moneyball." The real Art Howe was reportedly not pleased with how he was portrayed in the film but told TMZ Sports he didn't blame Hoffman. "He was just playing the part he was given," Howe said.

Hide Caption

4 of 16

Photos:Philip Seymour Hoffman

Philip Seymour Hoffman: Master of film – Hoffman plays a DJ known as The Count in 2009's "Pirate Radio."

Hide Caption

5 of 16

Photos:Philip Seymour Hoffman

Philip Seymour Hoffman: Master of film – In 2008's "Doubt," Hoffman plays Father Brendan Flynn, a Catholic priest accused of having an inappropriate relationship with a male student. This was yet another film that got Hoffman supporting actor nominations for the Oscars and the Golden Globes.

Hide Caption

6 of 16

Photos:Philip Seymour Hoffman

Philip Seymour Hoffman: Master of film – Hoffman plays Owen Davian in 2006's "Mission: Impossible III." The actor told AOL at the time that while an action film was not usually his type of role, "it was just one of those things where all the ingredients seemed right."

Hide Caption

7 of 16

Photos:Philip Seymour Hoffman

Philip Seymour Hoffman: Master of film – Hoffman plays the title role in 2005's "Capote." He won the Oscar for best actor in a leading role for his performance as Truman Capote, who wrote "In Cold Blood." Hoffman also won a Golden Globe for the role.

Philip Seymour Hoffman: Master of film – Hoffman plays Lester Bangs in 2000's "Almost Famous." He delivers one of the film's most memorable scenes when he advises Patrick Fugit's character, William Miller, that "the only true currency in this bankrupt world is what we share with someone else when we're uncool."

Hide Caption

10 of 16

Photos:Philip Seymour Hoffman

Philip Seymour Hoffman: Master of film – Hoffman appears with Rebecca Pidgeon in 2000's "State and Main." He plays a screenwriter suffering from writer's block.

Hide Caption

11 of 16

Photos:Philip Seymour Hoffman

Philip Seymour Hoffman: Master of film – Jude Law and Hoffman share a scene in 1999's "The Talented Mr. Ripley." Hoffman was hailed as a scene stealer in the psychological thriller set in Italy.

Philip Seymour Hoffman: Master of film – Hoffman played the slightly creepy production assistant Scotty in 1997's "Boogie Nights," with Mark Wahlberg and John C. Reilly.

Hide Caption

15 of 16

Photos:Philip Seymour Hoffman

Philip Seymour Hoffman: Master of film – Hoffman plays George Willis Jr. in 1992's "Scent of a Woman." He is credited as Philip S. Hoffman in the movie.

Hide Caption

16 of 16

As prolific as he was talented, Hoffman is best-known for his portrayal as writer Truman Capote in the 2005 biopic "Capote." It earned him an Academy Award.

He also stole the screen in "The Master," "Doubt" and "Charlie Wilson's War."

But his films weren't always so serious. Hoffman could wear his roles as light as caps.

Remember "Boogie Nights?" Or "Along Came Polly?"

Hoffman was the sort of actor that no matter who else was in the film, or what his part was, if you saw he was in the cast, you knew it had to be good.

2. Mr. Hollywood, he was not

Hoffman was one of us.

For all his larger-than-life roles, he had a reputation as a regular guy. He didn't live in a mansion in Hollywood but rather an apartment in New York.

He sent his children to public school, and he was routinely seen walking them there, said CNN's Rose Arce, who lived two blocks from the actor in Manhattan's Greenwich Village.

"He'd go quietly about his business with his children," she said. "It's shocking, and I know everyone in the neighborhood is going to feel like they're missing a friend, like a friend has died."

Hoffman was often seen taking the subway, wearing a ball cap to avoid the paparazzi.

3. He was an accomplished stage actor

Hoffman got his start on the stage while studying drama at New York University, where he was a founding member of the short-lived Bullstoi Ensemble theater company.

He earned two Tony nominations, one for best actor in the 2000 revival of Sam Shepard's "True West" and another for best actor in the revival of Eugene O'Neill's "Long Day's Journey Into Night."

He was a founding member of the Labyrinth Theater Company, where he served on the board of directors and directed productions. One of the final plays he directed for the company was the 2013 off-Broadway production of "A Family For All Occasions."

Asked once during a 2008 interview with the IFC network if he thought it would be a challenge to introduce new generations to live theater, he said, "It might change, it might evolve, but I don't think it'll become too niche because the business of theater is still everywhere."

4. No part was too small, too weird or too evil

Hoffman could play a great leading man, but he shone in smaller parts too and never shied away from playing conflicted -- sometimes downright unlikeable -- characters.

Who forget his turn as Freddie Miles in "The Talented Mr. Ripley?"

Or as a creepy gamemaster in the latest "Hunger Games" movie? The near perfect villain in "Mission: Impossible III?"

Hoffman knew how and when to let others have the spotlight. He was an actor's actor.

5. He didn't forget his mom

Who doesn't love a man who loves his mom?

When Hoffman took the stage to accept his Oscar for best actor for "Capote," he remembered his roots.

He thanked his mom for taking him to his first play and for doing so much for him and his siblings.

"She brought up four kids alone and she deserves a congratulations for that. Ah, we're at the party, Ma, you know? And she took me to my first play and she stayed up with me and watched the NCAA Final Four, and my passions, her passions became my passions. And, you know, be proud, Mom, because I'm proud of you and we're here tonight and it's so good," Hoffman said.

What made you love Hoffman? Share your take in the comments section below.